Seditious
GENRE
GANGSTER DRAMA
Core Theme
IN THIS NARRATIVE, THE IMPRISONED VICTOR CRISCIONE RECALLS HIS IMPRESSIVE CAREER JOURNEY AS HE WENT FROM AVERAGE WORKER TO A TOP BANK EXECUTIVE, BUT LOST EVERYTHING AS HE USED HIS POSITION AND PRIVILEGES TO SERVE THE MAFIA. RANGING FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD TO PRISON, CRISCIONE REFLECTS ON HIS LIFE DECISIONS AND LOYALTY TO HIS FAMILY.
TIME PERIOD
1980s & '90s
COMPARABLE TITLES
GODFATHER, GOODFELLAS
CHARACTER LIST
• VICTOR CRISCIONE: CHILDHOOD-MIDLIFE. LOYAL, DUBIOUS CHARACTER, LOVING, LIAR, TALENTED, CONFIDENT.
• JACKIE: 17-40, WIFE, LIFETIME PARTNER;
• SINCLAIR: HEAD OF THE MAFIA, SUSPICIOUS, SMART, CONFIDENT;
• EVA DAE: 20’S, ASSISTANT AND VICTOR’S LOVER, DRUG ADDICT, VICIOUS, ATTRACTIVE;
• MR. LANG, BANK EXECUTIVE, GREEDY BUSINESSMAN;
• MR. CRISCIONE, FATHER, GANGSTER.
Logline
A bank executive with ties to the underworld struggles with right and wrong as he enjoys the lore of fast money, seductive power and greed. From his upbringing as a mob hitman’s son and the tutelage of the banking elite, Victor corrupts the lines between Cosa Nostra and Wall Street right into federal prison.
Target Audiences
Age: 35-54
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
New York City
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: with a Publisher
Publisher: Page Publishing
Year Published: 2021
Starting Description
The story launches with the main character navigating the beginning of his federal prison sentence.
Ending Description
The author has not yet written this
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Plot - Other Elements
Philosophical Questions
Plot - Premise
The author has not yet written this
Main Character Details
Name: Victor Criscione
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous, Aggressive, Aspiring, Criminal, Greedy, Educated, Manipulative, Power-hungry, Sophisticated, Villainous
Additional Character Details
Name: Maxillion Sinclair
Age: 70
Gender: 70
Role: Tempter
Key Traits: Aspiring, Charming, Confident, Gracious, Honorable, Romantic, Strong Moral Code, Modest
Additional Character Details
Name: Miton Lang
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Role:
Key Traits: Aggressive, Charming, Engaging, Educated, Honorable, Leader, Patriotic, Strong Moral Code, Visionary
Additional Character Details
Name: Jacqui Criscione
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Aspiring, Charming, Confident, Gracious, Honorable, Romantic, Strong Moral Code, Modest
Genre
DRAMA, SUSPENSE, ROMANCE
Brief
Victor is a talented banker, however a favor in the beginning of his business journey puts his career in the hands of Mr. Sinclair and John Gotti, the godfathers of the Mafia. He then begins a massive scheme of money laundering. Victor and his brothers thrive financially in this shady business. After his new assistant finds out about the scheme and tells her boyfriend, he gets arrested and has to deal with the guilt of ashaming his wife Jackie and four children, but at the same time glad he stayed loyal to the mafia and will soon be out to enjoy his wealth.
Overall Rating
EXCELLENT
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT
Characterization: EXCELLENT
Commerciality: EXCELLENT
Franchise Potential: EXCELLENT
Pace: EXCELLENT
Premise: GOOD
Structure: EXCELLENT
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
It is accurate.
Draw of Story
What drew me into this story from the beginning is the unusual initial setting for a Mafia narrative. The protagonist, instead of the usual glamorous or underground style of narrative, is in a plane being transferred to a federal prison.
Possible Drawbacks
Nothing made me want to put the book down, however female representations, at many times, can be a bit outdated.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
I would watch this movie because, even though protagonist gets a light sentence for his crimes, there is a sense of contrast when we learn about his stellar trajectory in the business world, and it’s interesting to consider where he could be if he wasn’t tied to small favors.
Fanbase Potential
It could have a large fanbase especially if the adaptation creates a more modern approach to mafia stories, as protagonist is modern enough to begin narrative in a place of vulnerability.
Awards Potential
It could have awards potential if adapted because acting can be exquisite, as lines created by the author are memorable and definitely outstanding.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
GODFATHER, GOODFELLAS, MAD MEN
What’s New About the Story
The original thing about this story is the vulnerability allowed by the author when presenting the protagonist, a symbol of success and masculine representation, on a prison, totally vulnerable and being treated badly. However, this contrast happens only in the beginning of the narrative, as Vic recalls his story and doesn’t acknowledge his state again during the narrative. Creating more contrast going back to his current imprisoned self could add more layers and emotion to readers.
Lead Characters
Victor is a man with dubious characters, however his loyalty to his family, even when involving them in suspicious affairs, cheating on his wife or committing crimes, and manages to gain the sympathy of the readers. Also, his ability as a banker is outstanding and certainly a talent that would be a success even if not in crime.
Uniqueness of Story
This is a rare gem.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
RECOMMEND
Justification
I recommend it because the story is incredibly written, facts and sequence of events are well thought and tied, the protagonist arch is brilliant and lines are iconic. The book provides a unique perspective on the inner workings of the mafia and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. It also explores themes of loyalty, family, and honor, as Criscione reflects on his life and choices.
Brief
The narrative begins with the imprisoned Victor Criscione being transferred to a federal facility, and this hectic start contrasts with the story about how he got there. Victor recalls his epic career journey, the position he had just a while ago as a high bank executive with a beautiful wife, four children and thriving financially along with his brothers. The reader then finds out how a favor in the beginning of his career tied him to the same mafia his father have worked for, and how he put his loyalty to it above everything, even if it meant spending time incarcerated.
What We Liked
This is an unusual Mafia story not only because it’s writing is exquisite, but also because it also begins from a point of downfall, as protagonist is being humiliated while transferred to a federal prison. The book also provides a unique perspective on the inner workings of the mafia and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. It also explores themes of loyalty, honor, and family, as Criscione reflects on his life and his choices, and what is right and wrong when it comes to
financial institutions as, just like the mafia, they explore vulnerable people and communities.
Film: This would make a great adaptation for TV because this is a gangster story but with a protagonist that is not only hidden in the shadows doing shady business, but is working in broad daylight as a high executive in an important bank. A man with a dubious sense of justice climbing the corporate tree and with a deep loyalty to family.
TV: This would be a great adaptation for TV because it can be defined as a mix of two types of interesting stories: the rise to the top of a talented businessman (Mad Men) involved with criminality, deeply tied with the mafia and loyal to his family (Peaky Blinders).
Key points: Gangster story; Journey of a businessman man rising to the top; intriguing initial setting; memorable lines; fabulous storyline and sequence of events.
Synopsis
Victor Criscione is a mafia member, father of four, thinking about how he disappointed his siblings, wife, mother and father, and what it meant to come from a Sicilian ancestry, as he is being transported to El Reno federal prison.
After an exhausting journey, when he arrives at the facility, he spots Fat Tony Salerno, from the Genovese crime family, who offers him protection along with Captain D’Angelo. Fat then shows him a place where he can get good food in jail and cooks him a steak, to which he is deeply thankful. Victor also meets his roommate, Ernie Provenzano. He also sees Nicky, a guy he trusted and that was a godfather’s man, and Carmine Puccino. The reader then is able to realize how the mafia has a strong influence even inside federal prison.
Criscione then recalls his life, going to college after Karen, the rich daughter of a wealth lawyer, and then cheating on her with Jackie, an attractive 17-year-old girl with no money. Jackie gets pregnant and decides to keep the baby. Victor’s family welcomes Jackie, they marry and rent a house. Victor gets into a job at a distribution center with the help of Mr. Lang. He soon gets to a better position along with Mr. Barcell. As he tries to pass the test to work as a banker, he asks for his father’s help to get approved, which happens soon. Victor becomes successful in the banking industry as a fierce and ambitious businessman, and gets the attention of Mr. Lang, becoming the head of a new department.
This is when Victor gets the attention of Mr. Sinclair, a top mafia member, that asks to meet him. Victor begins money laundering for the mob in exchange for the favor – he then finds – Sinclair made his father while helping Victor get his banker’s license. Victor creates a system for the scheme and his brothers also get involved on it. Mr. Barcell dies and Victor climbs another corporate step. Victor and his siblings are thriving financially helping Sinclair wash mafia money. Victor gets to meet the Godfather, John Gotti.
All is going well when Leslie, Victor’s longtime assistant, quits. He hires Eva Dae, and has an affair with her, and she soon finds out about his shady businesses, and tries to blackmail him. John Gotti gets arrested. Eva’s boyfriend tells the cops about Victor’s wrongdoings at the bank – the man is soon killed by Sinclair, but damage is already done. Soon, Lang finds out and fires Victor.
Victor meets friend Lewis and asks for help as a lawyer as the feds are out to get him, and his FBI friend offers freedom in exchange for cooperation against the mafia. Victor doesn’t agree. He gets 60 months in prison.
Victor doesn’t show guilt, he is just glad he will soon be able to enjoy his wealth with his family as he stayed loyal to the only law he abides to: the code of the Mafia.